Saint Celina of Meaux

Biography

Saint Celina of Meaux, also known as Saint Céline, was born to a noble family and grew up in Meaux, France, during the fifth century. From a young age, she felt a strong calling to religious life, and this desire was further deepened when she crossed paths with Saint Genevieve, the revered patroness of Paris. However, Celina's path to joining the religious life was not without obstacles. She was engaged to be married to a man who opposed her choice to enter religious life. Determined to follow her calling, Celina made the brave decision to flee from her betrothed and seek refuge in the local cathedral. Legend has it that as Celina and Saint Genevieve reached the doors of the cathedral, they miraculously swung open to admit them. Once inside, the doors closed behind them and refused to open again until Celina's fiancé and her family came to understand and agree to her vocation. Having successfully entered the sanctuary of the cathedral, Celina dedicated the rest of her life to a prayerful existence as a nun and devoted herself to works of charity. She embraced a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience, seeking to imitate Christ in all aspects of her being. Saint Celina became known for her unwavering commitment to a life of deep devotion and her selfless acts of charity. Her humble and prayerful nature inspired others to embrace a life of faith and emulate her compassionate deeds. Saint Celina lived during a time of great turmoil in France, with anti-Christian sentiments and persecutions rampant. It is believed that she died around the year 480 of natural causes. Following her death, she was buried in Meaux, her hometown, and her tomb became a site of veneration for the faithful. During the anti-Christian persecutions of the French Revolution, the relics of Saint Celina were hidden to protect them from desecration. However, once religious freedom was restored, her relics were once again enshrined in the cathedral of Meaux, where they are honored and venerated to this day. Though Saint Celina was canonized before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, her sanctity and her life of holiness continue to inspire and guide believers. While she does not have a specific patronage associated with her, Saint Celina serves as a model of faith, perseverance, and devotion to God for all who seek her intercession. The feast day of Saint Celina of Meaux is celebrated on October 21st, commemorating her life and the impactful legacy she left behind.